Dawn of Divorce
Helmont mornings began early. Every family member rose at dawn for morning training in the practice grounds, rose garden, or walking paths. After training came the family breakfast—the one time of day when everyone gathered together. The family head, Arandel Helmont, held this ritual in the highest regard.
“……”
Today's breakfast unfolded just like any other. His four sons and one daughter took their seats. But as they settled in, an empty chair stood out. The eldest daughter was absent.
“Where’s Lianna?”
At the eldest son Roengreen Helmont’s question, the others unleashed their mockery as if they’d been waiting for it.
“She skipped morning training too.”
“Haha, is big sis skipping meals now to play house?”
“Must’ve had one hell of a wild night yesterday if she can’t even make breakfast.”
“He looks scrawny, but I guess Isaac put in some real effort.”
“……”
Everyone but Alois Helmont cackled, ridiculing Lianna and Isaac.
“The family head is coming.”
The servant’s words brought instant silence. A massive man entered the dining hall, his eyes still sharp with battlefield tension. His red mane-like hair and beard flowed as he took heavy strides to the head seat. His name was Arandel Helmont.
Arandel frowned at the empty spot belonging to his eldest daughter.
“Where’s Lianna?”
“She hasn’t come down. She skipped morning training as well.”
At Roengreen’s quick reply, Arandel’s eyebrow twitched. It was just breakfast, but failing to follow even this minor rule challenged the family head’s authority.
Creak.
Right then, the door opened, and Lianna Helmont stepped in.
“I’m sorry. I’m late.”
She bowed her head and took her seat. The food arrived swiftly, but no one touched their utensils until the family head did—everyone sat rigidly in perfect posture. Arandel addressed his eldest daughter.
“Why were you late?”
It wasn’t a reprimand. He knew Lianna well enough not to create such openings. He asked because he assumed there was a reason.
Lianna’s eyes were hollow from a sleepless night. For once, she hesitated before answering. She knew speaking the words would make it final. She’d agonized through the night, but no solution had come.
“Isaac—”
She squeezed her eyes shut and exhaled bitterly.
“—wants a divorce.”
“Well, well? Look at this guy. No joke.”
It was breakfast time at the Helmont estate, but though Isaac bore the Helmont name, he wasn’t allowed at the family table. The family head had deemed him unqualified. So Isaac often ate alone.
“Wow, this is something else. Heh, can’t help but laugh.”
Cheeks puffed with food, Isaac sat eating in front of the kitchen. He shoved a seasoned shrimp into his mouth whole and let out a sigh of delight.
“Ahh, this is incredible.”
The kitchen staff, on a brief break while their master ate, watched him openly.
“Me?”
Isaac waved another shrimp as he spoke.
“Nothing here made me nostalgic—except one thing. The food. No matter where I went, nothing matched this.”
“Nostalgic? You ate here yesterday.”
The one chatting with him was Milli Marso, a tanned woman his age. The youngest in the kitchen but skilled beyond her years, she occasionally talked with Isaac, her peer.
“Oh, slip of the tongue. I will miss it.”
He brushed off the mistake lightly and dug into the other dishes. Meat on the table at breakfast felt extravagant, but for a knightly house of swordsmen, it was essential.
“This is really good.”
“I grilled it.”
“As expected from Milli.”
“You used to eat quietly and leave, but today you’re enjoying it so much. It’s like you’re a different person.”
“I’ve come to appreciate the value of a good meal. You only realize what you’ve lost after it’s gone.”
“More importantly, what do you mean you’ll miss it? Are you going somewhere? I heard news from the Mallidan Wall…”
“I’m getting divorced.”
“What?!”
Not just Milli—the other cooks watching Isaac stuff his face froze in shock.
“Divorced. You know how I’m treated here, Milli.”
“Well…”
“Not even being allowed at breakfast means I’m not seen as family.”
No one could deny it. In truth, Isaac had been treated worse than a servant under the guise of family for the past four years. Because he was family. How many times those words had choked him. Everyone here had seen it.
“Ahem.”
A burly man wiped his hands with a cloth and approached Isaac. The head chef. His thick hands clasped politely.
“For dinner tonight… is there anything you’d like?”
“Head chef, are you comforting me right now?”
“Ahem.”
The gruff chef averted his gaze.
“I never knew you had this side. I’d love to gorge on meat. Won’t be easy once I leave.”
“We’ll prepare our best, Isaac Helmont.”
“I was thinking of leaving today, but I’ll stay for dinner.”
Isaac rose and offered a handshake with respect.
“The meals here… I’ll never forget them, even years from now.”
No exaggeration.
“It’s the one thing I’ll miss about the Helmonts.”
And he truly wouldn’t forget. The head chef and cooks fought back emotion, faces flushing.
“I too—sniff!—it’s been an honor to serve you.”
As they shook, cheers and encouragement erupted.
“You look brighter already!”
“We had no idea you thought so highly of our food!”
“Congrats on going back to single life!”
“You’re handsome—you’ll find a great woman in no time!”
“Haha, you guys.”
Isaac wiped his nose, feeling a strange warmth. In his previous life, he’d barely spoken to anyone but Milli. He’d fled without a thought for these cooks, but their support now filled him with pride.
Clang!
The door burst open. Had Lianna not entered, the heartfelt moment might have continued. But at the sight of her, the cooks’ eyes narrowed. The air turned icy, as if someone had doused it with cold water. Lianna approached Isaac.
“Father calls for you.”
“Already? Quick.”
She delivered the message but stood frozen. A painful silence stretched, like a thorn in her throat.
“We’re going together, right? He didn’t just summon me alone.”
“Y-yes, together.”
“Let’s go. He’ll be waiting.”
“I was eating. Finish up—I’ll wait.”
Lianna waiting for Isaac’s meal? Unthinkable before, but the shock was overshadowed.
“……”
By Lianna crossing her arms and glaring at the cooks.
She heard.
She definitely heard everything.
Damn, should’ve kept quiet.
Mom, sorry—looks like your son’s done for.
What did I say earlier?
Turmoil swirled in their minds. The Helmonts’ superior physiques came with keen hearing—they’d clearly overheard the chatter from outside.
“……”
Otherwise, no need to glare so murderously.
“I’m full already.”
The tension didn’t last. Isaac left food on his plate and stood.
“……Fine.”
Lianna looked displeased but followed him out. Before the door closed, Isaac flashed a thumbs-up over his shoulder: Don’t worry.
Thud.
The door shut. Staring at Isaac’s half-eaten plate—abandoned despite how much he’d enjoyed it—the head chef clenched his fist.
“Tonight’s dinner will be a feast!”
“Yes, sir!”
As the cooks bustled, Milli alone gazed worriedly at the door Isaac had left through.
The family head’s office. Located on the highest floor of Helmont Mansion, it was filled with books yet reeked more of iron and steel. Arandel eyed Isaac, arms draped over the massive oak desk suited to his build. Privately, Isaac thought no one mismatched a desk and chair more than his father-in-law.
“It’s been a while, Father-in-law.”
They lived in the same mansion, but Arandel’s gaze hadn’t landed on him in ages.
“You want a divorce.”
Straight to the point, no pleasantries. Isaac nodded slightly.
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Denied.”
The expected response.
“I think there’s a misunderstanding, Father-in-law.”
He placed a hand on his chest, correcting gently.
“I’m not asking for permission.”
The words, breaching etiquette, still irked Arandel greatly.
“I’m informing you of our decision. Our marriage isn’t working, so we’ll each find someone new. It’ll benefit us both.”
“……”
“Fortunately, we married young. Divorcing now isn’t too late for new partners.”
“……”
“I know you were uncomfortable taking a commoner like me as a son-in-law. You were right. I’ll return to my place.”
Self-deprecation didn’t matter. Once he left, it wouldn’t.
Arandel’s gaze shifted to Lianna. His eyes asked her thoughts. She answered softly.
“I’ll follow Isaac’s decision.”
“Hm.”
A short sigh. Affection tinged his look at his daughter.
Now, no reason to refuse.
Or so Isaac thought.
“Denied.”
Arandel’s answer remained firm.
“The reason is the Sword Festival.”
The Sword Festival was the Helmonts’ traditional event and grand celebration. Local villagers, allied nobles, even royalty attended in droves.
“This year’s festival is special—it announces the Helmont heir. Many will come probing our house.”
Not just to celebrate, but to gauge the next leader. Declaring confidence to them was a bold statement.
“Divorcing now would make Lianna’s scandal the talk of the festival.”
Ammunition for mockery.
Hm, no issue there.
Isaac saw no problem. It wasn’t him being ridiculed.
“So after the Sword Festival, it’s fine?”
“Yes, afterward. If your minds haven’t changed, do as you wish.”
Confirmation secured, but Isaac wanted to leave tomorrow—not wait.
“I’m sorry, but I want the divorce now. So, here’s a counteroffer.”
“Negotiating with me?”
The question implied a mismatch in status. Isaac smiled.
“I heard the Mallidan Wall requested aid from key kingdom nobles amid the beast surge.”
“……”
“Isaac?”
Arandel rested his chin on the armrest, intrigued. Lianna called from behind, suspecting.
Isaac ignored her and pressed on.
“I’ll go. I bear the Helmont name, so my presence lets you claim you’ve contributed.”
In reality, a useless hack who couldn’t swing a sword. But Isaac Helmont going sufficed for optics.
“With the Sword Festival, you want direct kin here for the guests.”
VIPs galore. The Helmont children had to display overwhelming prowess.
“Sending them to the Wall means frontline bloodbaths during prep. I’ll handle it instead.”
Not demanding much. Just leave this house. Too impatient for the festival. So he’d cover the annoying dispatch until then.
“Heh.”
A sly smile crept over Isaac’s face. He knew Arandel’s answer.
Did he have this side?
Acknowledging his son-in-law’s unexpected resolve, Arandel nodded.
“Very well.”
He permitted Isaac’s departure from Helmont Mansion.